BMC Research Notes最新文献

Background and objective: Recently, silicon (Si) has been demonstrated to be an important element in agriculture. Its significance in plant growth has prompted numerous studies. However, the knowledge about its role in plant tissue cultures is still limited. In an attempt to understand the role and effect of silicon on plant growth, morphologically and physiologically, in vitro, regenerated fig (Ficus carica var. Sultany) was used to study this purpose.

Materials and methods: Silicon as potassium silicate (K₂O.4SiO₂; PS) was added to the MS medium at 0 (PS0), 0.1 (PS1), 1.0 (PS2), and 10.0 (PS3) mg L^- 1. After four subcultures, morphological measurements and contents of element compounds, including N, P, K, Na, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, and As, were determined in treated shoots, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds, total phenolic, and flavonoid contents, while free radical scavenging activities were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays.

Results: Results showed that adding silicate at 1.0 mg L^- 1 enhanced shoot number, leaf number, chlorophyll, growth vigour, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, and significantly reduced vitrification. Nineteen compounds were identified, with fig shoot extracts showing significant variation in the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Conclusion: The use of potassium silicate enhanced fig growth, elemental content, and pharmacological components; however, a high rate (10.0 mg L^- 1) diminished most parameters, with the exception of Na and Cr. Further studies using low rates of traditional and nanoparticles of silicate are recommended.

Objectives: This paper aims to provide comprehensive documentation of the Occupational Job Strain Index (JSI), developed using data from the Norwegian nationwide Survey of Living Conditions conducted in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2019. The JSI, based on Karasek's Demand-Control Model, offers detailed information on working conditions, addressing a gap in national register data. The surveys, including information on the psychosocial working environment, contributed to the development of the JSI through self-reported information and psychosocial exposure items by Statistics Norway (SSB).

Data description: This paper includes the scripts documenting the construction of the Psychosocial Job Exposure Matrix and the Occupational Job Strain Index (Data File 1), along with a script containing the key for converting 4-digit STYRK-08 codes into 4-digit STYRK-98 codes and the procedure for merging the index with register data (Data File 2). Data File 3 contains the complete Psychosocial Job Exposure Matrix and Occupational Job Strain Index. Data File 4 includes a full codebook.

Background: Gynecomastia can have significant psychosocial impacts. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) combined with glandular excision has emerged as a preferred technique for contour correction with minimal scarring. This study evaluates surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction following UAL with glandular excision.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of male patients who underwent bilateral gynecomastia correction using ultrasound-assisted liposuction with infra-areolar excision between September 2022 and June 2024 in Palestine. Clinical and perioperative variables were extracted from medical records, and outcomes were supplemented with patient-reported satisfaction using the validated Arabic BODY-Q chest and nipple modules collected via an online follow-up questionnaire. Nonparametric group comparisons, Spearman correlation, and multivariable linear regression were used to identify predictors of satisfaction (SPSS v21).

Results: A total of 133 patients were included (median age 28 years; median BMI 26 kg/m²). Most cases were physiological and primarily Simon grade IIa/IIb. The median aspirated fat volume was 350 Ml. Postoperative complications were generally infrequent; the most common were asymmetry, redundant skin, hematoma, and contour irregularity, and 12% of patients underwent revision surgery. Overall satisfaction was high in both BODY-Q domains. Chest satisfaction decreased with increasing gynecomastia grade and was independently lower in patients with contour irregularity, undesirable scars, redundant skin, and recurrence. Nipple satisfaction was independently lower with contour irregularity, undesirable scars, redundant skin, and nipple-areola complex adherence. Chest and nipple satisfaction scores were positively correlated.

Conclusion: Ultrasound-assisted liposuction with infra-areolar excision achieved high patient-reported satisfaction with a low-to-moderate complication profile in this Palestinian cohort. Satisfaction was driven primarily by postoperative aesthetic factors-particularly contour quality, scarring, redundant skin, and recurrence, highlighting key targets for surgical optimization and patient counselling.